Chris Eubank Jr did make weight finally on fight day under the 170 pound limit that he was asked to but a former world champion is not sure.
Former world champion Carl Froch knows all about stadium fights of course, as he and George Groves were the ones to get them going and started again post-World War II in recent decades.
Speaking on his now hugely successful podcast ‘Froch On Fighting’ and his YouTube channel, Froch expressed concerns tonight:
“Looking ahead to the big fight tonight—Chris Eubank Jr. versus Conor Benn—it’s taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a crowd of 60,000. Not quite 80,000, but it’s a significant event. Stadium fights draw big crowds, which is positive for boxing. This is a matchup we’ve wanted to see for a while. Conor Benn made the weight at 156 pounds, but Chris Eubank Jr. missed it, coming in at 160.2 pounds—just 0.2 pounds over. That’s about 3 ounces, which doesn’t sound like much. However, the issue isn’t just that he missed the weight; it’s how he tried to make it that raises concerns.”
Concerns that of course many share in the fight tonight.
Froch went on to also add some passionate points on the subject:
“This fight is dangerous because Eubank Jr. is depleted. I spoke to Chris Eubank Sr. a few days ago, and he said his son isn’t a middleweight anymore—he can’t make 160 pounds. Eubank Sr. was proven right. Chris Jr. tried his hardest, failed, and now can’t rehydrate sufficiently. At 36, his metabolism is slowing, and he should be fighting at super middleweight (168 pounds), where he’d be stronger and more energized. I’m taller and bigger than Chris Jr., and even I managed the weight at super middleweight. He’s naturally a smaller man, better suited to middleweight earlier in his career, but not now.”
All some will argue are valid points from Froch that in the eyes of some, cannot be disputed.
That said, the fight and contest goes ahead.
And in a big way tonight in boxing — what a scrap it promises to be with an action packed undercard due to start soon.
Froch’s points and others’ concerns above however will be important in boxing this year and in the time ahead for others to note and analyze.
Particularly in light of the weight cut Eubank Jr went through in such a high profile fight in the sport this week.